Chapter 62: People Are So Over-the-Top, They're Even Calling Me an Sennin!
Asia has all sorts of "sennin," or Immortals. The term might sound like something out of an ancient legend, but in reality, it's just a title given to ordinary people who have achieved a level of skill in their craft that is unattainable for most.
The Ghouls who had heard of Ryohei had done their research. They quickly learned that online, he was being called the "Ryōri Sennin"—the Cooking Immortal.
At first, his nicknames had been more specific. People called him the "Onigiri Sennin," then the "Katsu Sando Sennin." But after a fan revealed online that his menu changes daily and he planned to open a proper restaurant, the name "Cooking Immortal" stuck and was widely accepted.
At this moment, the Ghouls waiting in line wholeheartedly agreed with the title. He was the real deal. Not like the so-called "Rice Sennin" or "Sushi Sennin" whose food they couldn't even eat. Bah.
"Two Omurice and two Crème Caramels, to go!"
Kitagawa Sena, her face alight with the excitement of finally reaching the front of the line, gave a little "yay" sign with her fingers as she looked at the glowing food.
"Right away," Ryohei said, efficiently packing her order.
Sena took out her wallet, counted out 5,000 yen, and handed it to Yurine. Her gaze, however, was fixed on Ryohei. "Can I get the Chef to go as well?" she asked with a flirtatious smile.
"Yurine, is that okay?" Ryohei asked, placing an Omurice in the bag.
Yurine smiled back. "Heian-kun, do you want to be packed up to go?"
"I'm not a product," he replied. It was a test, and he had given the perfect answer.
"Then I'm afraid you can't," Yurine said, turning her smile to Sena.
Sena blinked, looking between the two of them, a little surprised to realize they were a couple. "I see. My apologies for being so forward."
Behind her, Matsumoto Miyoko looked crestfallen. He has a girlfriend? That made asking for his contact information much more difficult. Even if he wanted to give it to her, he'd have to consider his girlfriend's feelings. And they didn't look like they were about to break up anytime soon.
Miyoko sized up Yurine. So he likes the cute type? she thought. I can be both sweet and mature!
"Chef Ryohei, when are you opening your restaurant?" It was now Mori Ekiko's turn. She ordered the same two-and-two combo and then asked her question.
"In the next few days," Ryohei replied without looking up, still busy packing. "We just secured a location today. As soon as the permits are approved, we'll be open for business."
"Is that so? We'll definitely be there to support you!" Ekiko's eyes lit up. This was great news. She handed her money to Yurine and then said to Ryohei, "Could I get your contact information? So you can let us know when you open."
Sena and Miyoko both looked at her, shocked. You're the one who keeps saying you're not divorced yet, but you're the one making the boldest move? Right in front of his girlfriend?
"I prefer my business to be based on fate," Ryohei said politely, handing her the food. Life was full of temptations. He glanced at the woman before him. She had short hair but was very beautiful, with a cool and unique aura. She also seemed quite wealthy. And, he guessed, she was probably married.
After the trio of wealthy wives had left, business continued. The setting sun dyed the clouds in brilliant colors, a flowing oil painting of orange and gold. The Ghoul crews had gradually dispersed, leaving only Irimi and a few of her subordinates to voluntarily maintain order.
"Excuse me!" A man holding a microphone, wearing a blue suit with a press pass around his neck, approached with a cameraman. "I'm Ishihara from the Tokyo Street Interview program. Would it be alright if we interviewed you for a few minutes?"
Ryohei had noticed them earlier, but they had waited patiently for a lull in the business. Now, while a new batch of omelettes was cooking, he had a moment. He nodded. "You have a few minutes." He was a little nervous; it was his first time being on TV. Yurine, too, subconsciously fiddled with her bangs in front of the camera.
"Arigatou!" Ishihara bowed. "My first question, and the one on everyone's mind, is: how do you make this glowing food?"
Ryohei gave his now-standard "I had an epiphany" answer. Ishihara then asked a series of follow-up questions: "Can you teach others how to make it?" (No.) "Is it true you're opening a restaurant?" (Yes, soon.) "Where will it be?" (Location not yet announced.) "Do you know that people online are calling you the 'Cooking Immortal'?"
Ryohei answered each question, essentially giving himself a free advertisement. To the last question, he admitted sheepishly, "I've seen it." He wasn't exactly offline, after all. He just thought it was absurd. People in Japan were so over-the-top with their praise, they had turned him into some kind of mountain sage.
"And what is the relationship between you and this cute young lady by your side?" the reporter suddenly asked, turning to a more personal topic.
Ryohei looked at Yurine, then declared simply and proudly, "We're a couple."
A bright smile bloomed on Yurine's face. Affection +1+1+1!
"Alright, thank you for your cooperation! That's all the questions I have!" Ishihara bowed again.
Ryohei waved his hand, and then watched as the reporter's and the cameraman's professional expressions instantly melted away, replaced by looks of intense hunger as they stared at the steaming containers on the cart.
"Would you like to try some? My treat," Ryohei offered. He was in a good mood after being on TV.
Surprisingly, both Ishihara and the cameraman refused. "No, thank you. We'll come back and wait in line to buy some ourselves next time." Then, practically drooling, they walked away, looking back over their shoulders with every step.
…They're surprisingly principled, Ryohei thought, a little surprised.
In reality, they were just afraid of getting complaints. With so many people still waiting in line, if they had accepted the free food, someone would have surely gotten jealous and filed a complaint against them for "abusing their press credentials to get freebies." That kind of trouble wasn't worth it.